PRAESCRIPTIO
praescriptio (pri-skrip-shee-oh), n. [Latin] Roman law.1. A preliminary portion of a formula that defines the scope of action.
2. A defensive plea in an action to recover land by which the defendant asserts ownership based on continuous possession for a prescribed time. ¡ª Also termed (in sense 2) praescriptio longi temporis. Pl. praescriptiones (pri-skrip-shee-oh-neez).